Paris Prosecutors Raid Offices of Elon Musk’s X
– Paris prosecutors have initiated a raid on the offices of Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, as part of a wider investigation into the content recommended by X’s algorithm.
– The operation was conducted by police specializing in cyber-crime, with assistance from Europol.
– The investigation has expanded to include concerns related to X’s AI chatbot, Grok.
– Both Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino have been summoned to attend hearings in April regarding this probe.
– X has not yet provided an official response, although BBC News has reached out for comment. The platform previously labeled the investigation an attack on free speech.
– The inquiry into X commenced in January 2025 and broadened in July, spurred by reports of sexually explicit deepfakes and Holocaust denial content circulating on the platform.
– X referred to the expansion of the probe as politically motivated and has denied any claims of algorithm manipulation.
Investigation Focus on X’s Algorithm
– Prosecutors are currently determining whether X has violated laws in several domains. Potential crimes under investigation include:
– Complicity in the possession or organized distribution of sexually explicit images of minors.
– Infringement of individuals’ image rights through sexual deepfakes.
– Fraudulent data extraction by organized groups.
– The prosecutor’s office has announced a shift in their communication channels, now opting to engage with the public via LinkedIn and Instagram instead of X.
– Recently, Musk’s platform faced significant backlash due to the creation and distribution of sexualized images generated through its AI tool, Grok. These images frequently utilize real pictures of women without their consent, resulting in widespread condemnation from victims, online safety advocates, and politicians.
– In response to the mounting criticism, the company took measures to curtail this practice.
– In late January, the European Commission launched an investigation into its parent company, xAI, over similar concerns regarding the misuse of images. The UK regulator, Ofcom, had already initiated a comparable investigation.
This ongoing inquiry reflects the heightened scrutiny facing Elon Musk’s X as it navigates complex legal and ethical challenges in the rapidly evolving landscape of social media.